[.oo9] A Curious Future

[lethechained]

Characters: Naminé (OU) and victims anyone.
Setting: All over the tower.
Format: Responder's choice.
Summary: Ten years in the Tower has changed a few things about Naminé - like her Stealth stat. Characters may find themselves with unexpected company.
Warning: Stalking, possible violence or discussion of past violence/abuse/kidnapping, magical ninjas.


[All over the Tower]

[There's someone behind you.]

[No, not really - she's probably not actually directly behind anyone. But there is someone lurking around, staying just out of sight and following characters on nearly silent footsteps. She's difficult to detect and quite persistent, but should one manage to catch sight of their unexpected companion, they'll see someone dressed all in white, a hood over their head. They're small-framed and it's hard to tell their age, but whoever they are, they're there and likely have been for a while.]

[Naminé's looking for information. Except asking directly doesn't seem to be her first choice of action at the moment; not when everything's all wrong and the tower is obviously up to something. So, she's taken to trailing after people, especially the ones who look familiar. Characters in just about any part of the tower may find themselves being followed.]

[Floor Forty-Eight]

[At first glance, it might look like there's a ghost in the graveyard. This is not actually the case; the 'ghost' in question is just someone hooded and dressed in white, moving among the graves as if searching for names.]

[Floor Twenty]

[That person in white who has been lurking around the tower appears to be taking a rest, seated near the edge of this floor. She's looking outward, but trying to sneak up on her may not be the best idea.]

[Floor Eleven]

[While not that long ago in reality, for her, it's been forever since that day that she spent practicing on this floor. ... She casts a brief spell in passing that leaves the nearest waterfall frozen in time for nostalgia's sake, taking only a moment to glance up at her handiwork before continuing on her way. The waterfall eventually returns to normal, but it takes a while.]

Comments

[rememberstime]

A knight is supposed to protect. I wanted to be worthy of that title. I think I am, I just didn't realize that when I was younger. [Even when he comes short, he doesn't think he's failed. Sometimes, things are completely out of their hands.] I guess I kind of attract trouble.

[lethechained]

[Her lips part slightly at the word. She seems to consider this a moment, then -- smiles.] I think you are, too. You did protect me, and I'm sure by now you've done that for so many other people as well. And-- isn't that the point? A knight takes on the troubles and burdens that others would have to face if he didn't do it for them, to protect them.

[rememberstime]

Well yeah. But when I was younger, I tried to reach a pedestal that was never meant to be reached. I took my shortcomings too harshly. [He still scrutinizes them at times though. But not at the extent his younger counterpart did.]

[lethechained]

[She pauses, looking up at him thoughtfully before lowering her eyes.] I think I know what you mean. [Oh boy, does she. She's all too prone to be critical of herself even now.] But-- you... live and learn, right? [That's what they say, isn't it--]

[rememberstime]

Well, it also took some dying. [Not that it's too surprising. Dave has a tendency to get into shit that kills him. It's like he was just meant to die a bunch of times.]

[lethechained]

[--.... He had to say-- er, write it, didn't he? There's a frown tugging at her lips, but she nudges it aside.] That, too, sometimes. At least here, that doesn't mean the end of your journey. [Some consolation, at least, even if that also means dying more than once - which, she can surmise, is something he's quite familiar with by now. ... Okay, no, the frown is back.]

[rememberstime]

He kind of gives her an apologetic smile.] I upset you again. Didn't mean too. My bad.

[lethechained]

--! [Whoops.] Oh-- no, Dave, please don't apologize...! You were just telling the truth. [Her eyes lower, but she forces them up again, trying to offer a smile.] Besides, I should be used to it by now. [Except it's much easier for her to accept the possibility of dying herself than someone else's death.]

[rememberstime]

It's kind of ironic. That we should be used to something like this. [He let's out a silent chuckle. It's kind of sad.] It's alright to be upset.

[lethechained]

[Her smile is sad, too, despite her efforts. Ironic indeed.]

... Mm. But I... don't know If I can let myself. [And not only for her own sake.]

[rememberstime]

You can get upset. I promise I won't tell anyone. [He smiles a little at her.]

[lethechained]

[She pauses, eyeing him, then-- smiles a little more comfortably.]

I believe you. But I'll know, and you'll know, and that's enough, I think. ... Besides, when you put it that way, it's a lot harder to be.

[rememberstime]

You can always come to me when you're upset though. This is like a damn ticket for the rest of your life. No take backs or anything.

[Maybe he's being a bit silly, but he's also being honest.]

[lethechained]

[Silly, even a little bit, is good. He's very silly, she thinks, in his own sort of way. It's a way she's become quite fond of, and there's some of that fondness in her smile.]

Always? [There's a certain weight in that. Despite knowing that the tower does have its whims, that it could send one or both of them away without so much as a moment's notice... it's comforting, hearing that. It warms something in her that spent far too much of her youth beaten down and tucked away in a dark corner somewhere, something that really only got to see the light with any degree of frequency when she came to this world all that time ago, ironically enough. There's a tiny breath, part laugh and part exhale, and then, almost-jokingly (perhaps for his sake, or at least for the sake of playing off of that unique silliness,)] Even in the middle of the night, or when the tower's being attacked by a giant whale?

[rememberstime]

Always. It goes without saying that my younger self would extend this invitation without batting an eyelash.

[And not because he used to have romantic feelings for her. She's just kind of damn important to him.] Hopefully a giant whale attack doesn't happen again though. I'm not fond of aquatic animals bashing against the building I'm living in. I know, what a damn surprise. Who would have thought you'd hate seeing the place you're living in getting destroyed.

I do like adventures at butt fuck who knows what time it is o clock.

[lethechained]

[There's a breath of a laugh, then,] I'm sure he would. You were just as kind then as you are now. And-- I may not always say it, but... that means a lot to me, Dave.

Hopefully. It wasn't very fun then and it wouldn't be now, even if there weren't monsters along for the ride. [-- Hah.] Mm. Who knew. ... It's funny, the places people can make do with.

I'd say those are the best kind, but... considering some of the midnight adventures the tower has sent us on, I think I'd stand corrected. Still-- there are some worth going on. [And it's a joke, but,] I'd try to make it a good one, at least.

[rememberstime]

Load of shit. I'm the hugest asshole. It's me and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. Shit. I got a reputation to upkeep.

[He couldn't be mean to Namine even if he tried though.]

Midnight adventures are the best. The shit the tower throws at us doesn't count because they're assholes and their goal in life is to take a dump on everything we consider fun.

[lethechained]

[Gosh, Dave. Now that gets a proper laugh out of her.]

Right, of course! My mistake. I must have forgotten how mean and tough you are. [That last part was mostly added in because hello Dave, she sees those male ego shenanigans.] I'll make sure to remember next time your reputation is at stake.

[She'd like to see him try-- okay, no, actually, that's something she wouldn't mind not seeing. (That doesn't mean she can't harass him about it, though.)]

Well, when you put it that way...! I guess that's that, then. Maybe we could even get a midnight snack to go with our midnight adventures. [Because clearly that is an integral part of night-time shenanigans.]

[rememberstime]

[He let's out a silent chuckle in return.]

I'm the toughest shit in this tower. I make little girls cry and large burly men quake in their shoes. [This conversation is dumb. They're dumb.] You gotta keep my sensitive side a secret. It's top secret. If anyone found out, I'd be ruined.

Holy shit. Midnight snacks are the best. Except when Jason refuses to give us decent food. Then it kind of sucks. At the same time, have you ever tried feeding a food bar to a monster? Shit's hilarious.

[lethechained]

[An eyebrow has officially been raised. Good going, Dave.]

That is mean. I'm sure by now it would be very dangerous to reveal how [much of a silly--] sweet and cuddly you really are. [Smile.] The little girls would have your head.

What, really? ... I'm not sure I'd put even them through that, but if you say so. Still-- it's a little more fun if it is a midnight snack, at least.

[rememberstime]

Shit. Don't tell people about my need for cuddles. I have a very serous ailment where if I don't get a certain amount of cuddles, I die. It's all medical. You can't hold that against me. [Except it's all a dumb lie, but he's fucking grinning.] You don't understand how suffering it is to need cuddles to survive.

Well, trying to get them to even eat that shit is a challenge in itself.

[lethechained]

[Both eyebrows are up, repeat, both eyebrows are up--]

Oh, I would never. You poor man. That sounds like a terrible way to live. [She's trying so hard not to snicker right now. So hard. She's only partially successful.] You're not short any, are you?

I would imagine so...! I'm surprised you managed it at all.

[rememberstime]

[Don't laugh. You will hurt his sensitive feelings on the subject.] I might be a little short today. I should get that dealt with. Don't want to kick the bucket or anything.

I didn't always win. But we pretend that isn't a thing I admitted.

[lethechained]

[She's doing her best, really she is!] Oh, no! We can't have that. [Pfffft.] You should be more careful. Maybe if you're lucky, a friend can help you out.

[--... Oh. Well, that's somewhat sobering, but--] I hope the consequences weren't too terrible...? [... Please tell her you didn't get killed, Dave. Please.]

[rememberstime]

I don't know anyone that's in my general vicinity that can help me right now. I think I might actually be in a very serious situation right now.

[Woe is him.] I wouldn't worry about it. [He's going to purposely be vague about it.]